Manuring and the Political Economy of Improvement

Abstract

In this chapter, I focus on the materiality of a subject featured prominently in early nineteenth century Improvement literature, but understudied archaeologically: manuring. After discussing the presence of a cobble platform found in the barnyard of the Williams’ house, I will show how this manure organizing stercorary relates to the changing political economy and ecology of early nineteenth century New England. This stercorary was part of a suite of manure management strategies advocated in the Improvement literature of early nineteenth century New England. Manure management was the primary practical activity advocated by Improvers, and the increasing regimentation and management of manure was part of an attempt to address a growing social and ecological dislocation in western European and American agriculture.